All to play for in main Derbyshire Leagues
by Alan Rowley, 12th August 2001

With just five games left to go, there is still a lot of cricket to be played before the promotion and relegation spots are decided in the Premier and County League. The Premier championship is still wide open ...

A day of exciting cricket and close finishes ensured that the two main Derbyshire leagues, the Beechdale Saab Derbyshire Premier and the Abbey Glass County League Division 1, remain open. The Premier League in particular is still a wide open affair with either of the top four teams still in with a chance of claiming the title.

As an added bonus, there is a terrific scrap developing at the bottom of the Premier League between local rivals Stainsby Hall and Langley Mill. The Millers did themselves a big favour with a scintillating six wicket victory over Chesterfield at Queens Park. The home side set the Millers a disappointing target of 163 which the visitors knocked off comfortably, thanks to a fine 66 not out from Andrew Thompson.

Meanwhile, Stainsby suffered another miserable defeat as they lost out in a close run affair against Alvaston & Boulton. Stainsby could only manage a score of 139 which the visitors had difficulty passing, but they eventually reached the target with eight wickets down. Stainsby are now 11 points adrift of Langley Mill in the one relegation spot, and must surely now be favourites to go down.

Leaders Denby were unlucky not to come away from their game at Quarndon with a victory. Denby's massive 275 for 9, including 91 from Scott and 66 from Mark Pykett, was way beyond the home side who just managed to bat out for a draw.

Denby's main challengers Ockbrook and Borrowash had a comfortable victory in the end over Wirksworth at Victoria Avenue, though some of the home supporters must have been getting jittery as the visitors sneaked towards the low Ockbrook total of 171. In the end, Ockbrook ran out victors by 36 runs.

Third placed Dunstall had a comfortable eight wicket victory over Sandiacre Town to remain in touch with the top two. The visitors set Dunstall a total of 163 for victory, but Derek Randall (63 not out) and Phil Simmons (76 not out) saw them easily home.

In the other game, Heanor Town beat neighbours Ilkeston Rutland by 16 runs in a low scoring affair at Ilkeston thanks to four wickets apiece from Graeme Archer and Richard Bates.

So the top of the table looks like this. Denby are still top, 15 points ahead of Ockbrook & Borrowash, but have played one game more. Dunstall lie third, 38 points adrift of the lead, and Quarndon are fourth, seven points behind Dunstall.

In next Saturday's games, Langley Mill entertain Ockbrook & Borrowash, whilst Denby take on Dunstall just up the road in Denby Village.

A quick look at the Abbey Glass Division 1 sees Sawley and Long Eaton Park still looking comfortable on the top despite losing out to nearest challengers Clifton in a one sided affair at West Park. Clifton batted first and were all out for 171 thanks to another fine display of pace bowling from Ahmed Gondal. Gondal's 5 for 42 appeared to be sufficient to restrict the visitors to a losing total, but Clifton were to prove the stronger team with a fine all-round display. Ali's 5 for 12 enabled Clifton to skittle the leaders for just 97 runs to finish 74 runs adrift.

Clifton still have a mountain to climb if they are to claim the one promotion spot, but they are still unbeaten and if Sawley slip up, Clifton will be ready to pounce.